{If the Shoe Fits}

If you have been reading my blog since its inception, you probably know I like TOMS shoes, love the idea behind TOMS shoes and am in love with its founder, Blake Mycoskie. Trust me when I say I have absolutely no problem taking a pay cut, moving to Santa Monica and working in a cubicle made of plywood if it means being a part of such an awesome company and, obviously, being closer to Blake. (I'm not creepy or anything ;-) So, when I spotted these on a blog I knew they had to be mine:

Image via Style Me Pretty

Note: I get a tad bit grumpy when I do not find quick answers to my questions, so I was very disappointed when I could not find these on the TOMS website. Hence, I went back to the source of the picture and finally discovered that the owner of the shoes actually bought a pair of creme TOMS, some fabrics and her friend made them for her! Pure genius. I love the creativity! Talk about being unique! Isn't it awesome to see the end result of other people's hard work and be motivated to try something new and out of the ordinary?

“Between saying and doing,
many a pair of shoes is worn out.”

{Reality Check}

I tend to prefer reading women's magazines in hard copy rather than online (it seems some sites are so heavily populated with graphics and headlines that I want to avoid sending myself into a visual tailspin) but I recently viewed glamour.com and came across an interesting tag line that read: "Could you go a week without your phone or the internet and feel happy?"

Is this your reaction to a loss in "connection"?

According to a survey (Glamour, please) "more than half of respondents said they felt upset when they were denied access to the Internet; and, 40 percent said they felt lonely." Source.  Now, I can understand that if I were to go without using my phone for a few days, I might feel a bit weird...but would I go as far as to compare being sans phone to "quitting smoking or drinking" or "having my hand chopped off?" I don't think so. Let's get a grip.

It may be time for a time-out...

Ladies (and gents), I really hope we have more going on in our lives that we don't feel lonely without the internet or phone. I get it, we live in a society driven by the notion that we are available 24/7 thanks to advancements in technology. (Even I have been recently craving an iPad.) I've said it to my boss many times before and I'll say it again: Put the blackberry (or insert your phone here) down! Life will go on whether you answer that email now or in the morning, whether you update your Facebook pictures tonight or in a week, whether you keep up with your Twitter account or whether you answer every comment on your blog page or not.

There aren't words.

A year ago, I realized the ridiculous amount of time I spent on my Facebook account so I deactivated it. For 3 months. It was positively delightful and I read several books, spent more time outdoors and didn't miss it for a second (pinky swear). I learned, during that time, how much I had relied on Facebook for remembering birthdays, upcoming events & being updated on people's lives. It helped me to remember that just because technology is convenient, it doesn't suffice for verbally wishing someone a happy birthday or meeting a friend over coffee vs. an online chat.

Remember to make time to go outside & play!

Yes, it is awesome to have an instant connection with others right at your fingertips...but it does not make us happy. It makes us available, but it should not make us dependent.

So my answer to you, Glamour, is yes...

I can go for a week (or more!) without my phone or internet and still be completely happy. (In fact, I will be doing that this weekend while away in the mountains.) And I sincerely hope all of you readers can too.

Images via Google

{Detail Yourself}

It seems this summer is all about accessorizing; from bangles to hair wraps, I am totally digging the accentuation of a particular piece of jewelry or eyewear to make an outfit pop. Especially when traveling during the warmer months, it is quite efficient to stick to a small range of clothing (tank tops, skirts, maxi dresses) and make your outfits go the extra mile with a variety of accessories. I remember traveling Europe with a very limited wardrobe supply; what helped make those items of clothing not feel overused or appear the same in every photo wasn't just mixing and matching, but also adding lightweight scarves or jewelry accents. If you're looking to stick to a carry-on bag for your next trip or need a closet refresh, think about adding these simple accessories rather than more apparel:

 {Bangles}

Wear bangles (or a cuff bracelet) for a bit of shine

(Make yourself jingle with a little color)

{Belts}

Add a bright belt to a top or dress to mix it up

(Loose fitting & comfy is best)

{Scarves}

Don a head scarf to spice up your hair

(Who said scarves are only meant to be worn around your neck?)

{Watches}

Keep the time (and your style) with a classy wristwatch

(My favorite outlet find [so far] in 2011!)

{Rings}

Make a statement with an over-sized ring

(A glamorous ring can go a long way)

{Sunglasses}

Protect your eyes with a pair of glasses that compliment you

(Always a wardrobe staple)

{Nails}

Show off your nails with a vibrant color

(These lacquers are f-a-b-u-l-o-u-s)

Sometimes, it's all in the details...

Images via Google